RClone ManagerLinux
vs
Microsoft OneDriveWindows
RClone Manager as a Linux alternative to Microsoft OneDrive
Updated
Our verdict
RClone Manager can replace OneDrive for users who need a flexible, cross‑platform sync tool and are comfortable with a more feature‑rich interface than the stock client. It supports OneDrive as a provider, offers two‑way sync, selective sync via mount options, and file versioning through the underlying rclone engine. It is best suited for power users or sysadmins who want scripting, automation, and multi‑cloud management, rather than casual consumers who rely on the simple Windows‑style experience.
- License
- GPL-3.0-or-later
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 0.3.3 (September 23, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both sync local folders to the cloud and support two‑way synchronization
- Both can work with OneDrive accounts
- Both provide selective sync or mount options to save disk space
- Both have desktop integration via system tray or file manager extensions
What is different
- RClone Manager requires a separate rclone binary and configuration; OneDrive is a single bundled client
- RClone Manager offers a visual workflow builder and cron scheduling, which OneDrive lacks
- RClone Manager can serve storage over HTTP/WebDAV, not available in OneDrive
- OneDrive automatically handles file versioning and history recovery, while RClone relies on the provider’s API and may not expose all versions
- RClone Manager is open source and cross‑platform, but its UI is more complex than OneDrive’s straightforward sync window
Opening your Microsoft OneDrive files
Files stored in OneDrive are ordinary files; RClone Manager can download or sync them to local folders, so they open in native Linux applications. Exporting from OneDrive to other formats is handled by the cloud provider, not the client, so no special conversion is needed.
Switching from Microsoft OneDrive to RClone Manager, step by step
- Install rclone and RClone Manager from Flathub or your distro’s package manager.
- Add your OneDrive account in RClone Manager’s account settings and grant the required permissions.
- Create a sync task: choose local folder, select OneDrive remote, set sync direction to two‑way.
- Enable selective sync or mount options if you want to save local space.
- Start the sync or mount and verify files appear in the chosen local directory.
- Adjust power‑management or scheduling settings if needed for background operation.
Key features of RClone Manager
- Visual workflow builder for multi-step automations
- Built-in file manager for browsing and editing remote files
- Mount cloud storage as a local drive with VFS cache
- Rich media preview for images, videos, PDFs, and code
- Schedule operations via cron or file system watchers
- System tray integration and power management controls
- Encrypted configuration storage with backup support
- Serves remote storage over HTTP or WebDAV
How to install RClone Manager on Linux
flatpak install flathub io.github.zarestia_dev.rclone-managersudo apt install rclonesudo apt install rclonesudo dnf install rclonesudo pacman -S rclonesudo zypper install rcloneFrequently asked questions
Does RClone Manager support file versioning like OneDrive?
RClone Manager uses rclone’s underlying sync logic, which can preserve file timestamps and optionally keep older versions if the provider supports it. However, it does not provide a dedicated version history UI; you would need to rely on the provider’s web interface for detailed version recovery.
Is RClone Manager safe for sensitive data?
Yes, it encrypts configuration files and can use rclone’s built‑in encryption features for data at rest. Transfers use HTTPS/TLS by default, and you can enable two‑factor authentication on your OneDrive account for added security.
Can I use RClone Manager on Windows?
RClone Manager is a native Linux application; it runs on Windows only through compatibility layers like WSL or Cygwin, which is not recommended for production use. For Windows, use the official OneDrive client.
2 other alternatives to Microsoft OneDrive
Nextcloud Desktop ClientSyncs files between your Linux desktop and a Nextcloud server, keeping documents and photos up to date across…Open sourceFreeFlatpakNextcloud Desktop Client vs Microsoft OneDrive
Seafile ClientSeafile is a cross‑platform file‑sync client that keeps local folders in sync with a Seafile server, similar…Open sourceFreeFlatpakSeafile Client vs Microsoft OneDrive